Hawaiian health authorities are issuing guidelines for Pfizer boosters, but say the first and second doses remain top priority

Thousands of Hawaiian residents fully vaccinated against the coronavirus with the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine are now eligible for a booster dose, but the state Department of Health is pushing for priority to be given to those who have not yet received their first or second dose of a vaccine .

State health officials also recommend giving priority to booster injections to those aged 65 and over and those aged 50 to 64 who have pre-existing medical conditions that make them particularly susceptible to serious illness and hospitalization from COVID-19.

Other populations may also be eligible for booster vaccinations, but the Department of Health says providers should only consider giving doses to these groups if there is sufficient supply.

“As science and the virus develop, DOH will continue to make evidence-based decisions to ensure that those at highest risk for serious illness have access to vaccines,” said Health Director Dr. Elizabeth Char in a press release today. “We will have enough booster shots for everyone, but please allow those at highest risk of serious illness to have their vaccinations first. DOH’s top priority will remain to encourage unvaccinated Hawaiian residents to complete their primary series of vaccinations. “

Health officials said other groups that may be considered for booster shots based on individual benefits and risks are:

>> People aged 18 to 49 with underlying medical conditions.

>> People aged 18 to 64 who are at high risk of occupational or institutional exposure, such as B. Health workers and teachers.

While the Department of Health has issued guidelines for prioritization, health authorities rely on providers and the public to comply voluntarily.

“We hope people will follow suit. We’re not going to stand at individual vaccination sites and take full medical histories and get people to prove things, ”Char said during a press conference this afternoon. “But we hope they will honor that, because ultimately it’s about protecting our community. This is the best way to achieve this. “

Char advised people to bring their vaccination cards to the vendors to show that they have passed the six month window for their second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech.

Char said she didn’t have an exact number on how many people were immediately eligible for the boosters. She said the state currently has 90,000 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech and is waiting to see what the state’s future allocation will be.

“Please keep in mind that we will be one of fifty states looking for additional doses of Pfizer, so we’ll see how that number turns out,” she said.

As of March 24, six months ago, 219,335 Hawaiian residents were fully vaccinated, according to the state. It is not clear what percentage of this population received Pfizer-BioNTech or what percentage would qualify for the boosters under federal criteria.

Earlier this month, the Department of Health announced that it could deliver more than 60,000 doses per week through the state’s current vaccination centers.

Booster vaccinations are only approved for people who have received the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine. Federal agencies are expected to review an additional dose of the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines in the coming weeks.

The Department of Health stressed that giving a Pfizer BioNTech booster to someone who has received the vaccines from Moderna or Johnson & Johnson is neither approved nor recommended.

“People are still considered fully vaccinated 14 days after their second dose. Booster doses provide additional protection, but the primary two-dose series continues to protect vaccinated individuals from serious illness, hospitalization and death, ”according to the Ministry of Health.

Anyone who has received Pfizer vaccines and is unsure whether they qualify for a booster vaccination should contact their doctor.